Electoral Alliances
KARACHI: With elections nearing in a couple of months, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is intensifying efforts to form an electoral alliances in Sindh, a stronghold of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
To realize its plans for governing the province, the Shehbaz Sharif-led party held separate meetings on Saturday with leaders of other political entities in Sindh, including the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA).
The PML-N delegation, including leaders Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Bashir Memon, Kheel Das Kohistani, and Ali Akbar Gujjar, met with JUI-F Sindh Secretary General Allama Rashid Mahmood Soomro to discuss a potential electoral alliance and seat adjustment for the upcoming general elections on February 8, 2024.
The delegation conveyed PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s message for Soomro to engage in detailed consultations and close working relations. Soomro welcomed the proposal, emphasizing that a joint struggle could yield significant surprises.
Soomro invited the PML-N leadership to a JUI-F public gathering in Larkana on November 30, and Saad Rafique assured participation. PML-N leaders stressed the need for alternative leadership in Sindh according to the aspirations of the people.
The delegation also met GDA chief Pir Sibghatullah Rashidi, known as Pir Sahab Pagara, in Karachi. They discussed the political situation and delivered Sharif’s message to Pagara. Both parties agreed that a robust electoral alliance in Sindh was essential.
Pagara assured support, stating that PML-N, GDA, MQM-P, and JUI-F would not only provide an alternative leadership but also form the government in Sindh after the general elections. The delegation is set to visit MQM-P’s head office on Sunday to further discuss their working relationship. Last week, both parties agreed to form an alliance to address urban Sindh’s problems.
Sources within the urban-focused entity indicated that MQM-P and PML-N leaders would discuss proposals for cooperation. A six-member committee would be formed to prepare proposals to address the issues of urban Sindh. Both parties will nominate their members for the committee before the formal announcement of an electoral alliance.
